The father of an Indian woman who died after apparently being refused an abortion in Ireland has urged the country's prime minister to change the current abortion laws.

In an appeal to Enda Kenny, Andanappa Yalagi said altering the legislation would "save the lives of so many women in the future".

Mr Yalagi's daughter, Savita Halappanavar, 31, was 17 weeks pregnant when she died at Galway University Hospital on October 28 after suffering a miscarriage and septicaemia.

A woman holds a candle during a vigil held in Dublin on Saturday

Her husband Praveen alleged that his wife, who was a dentist, pleaded with doctors to perform a medical termination.

Doctors are said to have denied her requests because a foetal heartbeat was present - reportedly telling her: "This is a Catholic country."

In an interview with the Observer, Mr Yalagi added his voice to calls urging the Irish government to reform complex abortion laws.

Addressing Mr Kenny, he said: "Sir, please change your law and take consideration of humanity.

"Please change the law on abortion, which will help to save the lives of so many women in the future."

Mr Yalagi revealed he and his wife are considering legal action against the hospital and said no health officials or anyone from the Irish government had been in touch with them to express any remorse.

Speaking at his home in the southern Indian town of Belgaum, he added: "I want to take legal action against them over the inhumane way they treated my daughter."

He added: "They are doctors but they were not humane. If they had been humane, they would have treated her."

People gather in Dublin for a vigil and to support abortion reform

The Galway-Roscommon University Hospitals Group and the Health Service Executive's (HSE) national accident management team announced two separate investigations into Mrs Halappanavar's death.

The death has sent waves through the Irish parliament and caused a 2,000-strong protest on its doorstep when it emerged last week.